ANSWER: MR. JOHN OF HAT FAME MADE JEWELRY
I have a lovely crown brooch that is signed Mr. John in script on the bottom front of the crown. What I have read says that Mr John never signed pieces, only used hang tags. Obviously, this isn't true, as I have a signed piece. I can't find much about the jewelry, only a few pieces I could find on the web, and they were both necklaces. I know from the little I could find that he was a hatmaker. Can anyone give me any more info?
Melissa Hatfield
I have a lovely crown brooch that is signed Mr. John in script on the bottom front of the crown. What I have read says that Mr John never signed pieces, only used hang tags. Obviously, this isn't true, as I have a signed piece. I can't find much about the jewelry, only a few pieces I could find on the web, and they were both necklaces. I know from the little I could find that he was a hatmaker. Can anyone give me any more info?
Melissa Hatfield
"I have a number of Mr. John pieces on my web site and a couple more I think still to list. The info I have says most were just with a hang tag which is how mine are marked but that also makes sense since mine are bead necklaces and would be harder to put a plaque on." --Karla Wacker, 01/26/09
"And is the Mr. John the same one that made many, many hats? I have never heard of Mr. John jewelry but have a lot of vintage hats named Mr. John. I'd love to see the mark to compare." --Cynthia Fore Miller, 01/26/09
"I have a signed brooch around here somewhere. A very nice pine bough with pinecones, but the pin mechanism is wonky--can't get the pin into the catch! Anyway, as I recall, it is signed on the back in script." --Lorna, 01/26/09
"I went to your website, Karla, and saw the hangtag. I also see your info on the piece at auction that I am pasting here. Hope you don't mind..."More information on Mr. John is found in his obituary in the New York times of May 7, 2008, and I quote:
In the 1940's and 1950's, the name Mr. John was as famous in the world of hats as Christian Dior was in the realm of haute couture. At a time when other milliners were piling on flowers, feathers and tulle, Mr. John was stripping hats naked, relying on pure shape for effect. He made close fitting cloches, towering toques and wide-brimmed picture hats, often adding a face-hugging veil dotted with a single rhinestone, as if to signify a beauty mark. A review of his fall collection in 1956 in The New York Times referred to him as "a gifted designer and skilled workman who produces some of the most original, wearable, flattering hats to be seen anywhere." Work Featured in Films."" --Cynthia Fore Miller, 01/26/09
"I am pretty sure it is the same person. If you view the tags on my necklaces along with the obituary I quoted in my listings I think it is pretty clear it is the same person." --Karla Wacker, 01/26/09
"Ladies, I know this is a LATE question, I pray that some of you are out there for help. I have a brooch that hubby is placing on auction as we are in the Estate Jewelry business and I need help. THIS brooch is a very Wonderful thing to find & should be tested for gold content & the stones for being Real gems. Our brooch has the Very same person's script. I have read all about Mr.Johns life & have done hours of research. This, picture & comments to me is a glimpse of hope.Thank ya'll ! Although, I am honored, surprised & grateful to be in a book about my expertise in Jewelry, this one has stumped me..no one knows it all & it is Great to see you sweet ladies so eager to help as I help others in knowledge. Our Crown brooch is solid 14k gold (tested), shaped differently than this crown with a diamond, & emeralds, sapphires, seed pearls & rubies - all tested as Real & not synthetic. It has a turn style clasp, therefore, it is Vintage & not Antique. Circa 1940's-50's. I need so badly to verify this brooch. Under the jewels,there is a panel that reads 'Deborahs" and Below JUST LIKE this one reads "Charm". So, together "Deborahs Charm" If you saw it, you would know that it is the Very same designer as this brooch. Who in the world is Deborah? Mr.John hung out & made special pieces for the Most Elite in Hollywood in gold & diamonds. It has no hallmarks that I can find. My husband runs our business now as I am bed ridden a lot of days due to 3 chronic pain diseases that are chronic and no cure, just manageable by Specialists. I don't want pity, I have a GREAT Positive outlook in life. I need Help as I am writing this ad for my hubby because of my research & knowledge about most jewelry. I am overjoyed to see loving women that share the same passion for jewelry. Please, if anyone is listening, let me know what I can do to verify this Maker of this brooch.... w/ out $. Even though we do well, no insurance & I drain our $ between my illness and shopping for designer clothes deals & of course, rare jewelry. I need to have the right info to fetch a great price & pay some medical bills. I do not have disability as I am going to start some of my own FUN jewelry site & as normal for me, work from bed. I have a ton of silver & costume from Victorian & other Era's to Native American to Weiss & others that will sustain a pretty good extra income to help my husband. I help him a lot with the business in the advice area yet, I want to contribute financially. Even if you cannot help, say hello as we share this never ending passion for Jewelry. May all of you have the most Blessed Holidays ever! & I can't wait for days to hear from you, hubby is not patient like that, he wants to put it on without knowledge & I am the research guru & still have a problem with some items that I am blessed enough to have a challenge, lol..
Smiles,
Meredith" --Meredith, 11/27/10
Other Sizes: Original Medium